GAINESVILLE — Call it personalized medicine for depression — but the prescription in this case is exercise, which University of Florida Health researchers have found helps people with certain genetic traits.

A UF study has found that specific genetic markers that put people at risk for depression also predict who might benefit from exercise, according to a study published recently in The Journal of Frailty & Aging. The researchers found that men who were carriers of two specific genes had the most significant response to exercise. The results suggest physical activity as part of a treatment plan — exercise as moderate as walking — could help the carriers of these genes.

“I want to better understand who could benefit most from physical activity. I’d like to take the same approach to exercise that we take to medication, which is to have a personalized medicine approach,” said Vonetta Dotson, Ph.D., the study’s first author and an assistant professor in the College of Public Health and Health Profession’s department of clinical and health psychology.

“If we show through systematic research that exercise has a good chance of helping a patient because of their particular characteristics, I think that might help with patients’ motivation to exercise.”

Data gathering

The results came from a small pilot study, so more research needs to be done before this work can be translated into clinical practice. But in the future, it’s possible that blood or saliva could be tested to determine if a person could benefit from physical activity to lower depressive symptoms.

The study used data gathered in the Lifestyle Interventions and Independence for Elders, or LIFE, pilot study. During the LIFE pilot study, 396 sedentary older adults were separated into two groups: those who received health education classes and those who were given moderate physical activity classes for 12 months.

A subsequent paper published from the LIFE pilot study found that exercise did not significantly affect depression symptoms across the whole group, but that changed when the research team tunneled down into the data.

“When we looked at subgroups, we ended up finding significant response to exercise in men who were carriers of a specific gene.” Dotson said.

To assess the participants’ response to exercise, they took a test called the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, a screening test for depression and depressive disorders, at the beginning of the LIFE study’s intervention. They took the test again after the interventions ended, at 12 months. The scale assesses four factors, including symptoms of sadness and fearfulness, symptoms such as loss of appetite and concentration difficulties, and a diminished capacity to experience pleasure or perceived difficulties in social relationships.

The participants also underwent genetic testing before the intervention, and the researchers tested three genes: the brain-derived neurotrophic, or BDNF, gene, a serotonin transporter gene and a gene called apolipoprotein E. The researchers found the greatest decrease in symptoms such as loss of appetite and concentration difficulties in men who carried the BDNF genetic variation that predisposed them to depression. They also saw an increase in the capacity to experience pleasure in men who exercised regularly who carried specific variations of the serotonin transporter gene.

Exercise vs. medication

Co-author Taimour Langaee, Ph.D., MSPH, a research associate professor in the UF College of Pharmacy’s department of pharmacotherapy and translational research and Center for Pharmacogenomics, is interested in research studies on the effect of antipsychotic drugs on depression. When patients are treated with antidepressants, the level of BDNF expression normalizes, helping them overcome depression, Langaee said. This study was different because it was designed to investigate the effect of physical activity in relation to genetic variations in these genes on changes in depressive symptoms.

“We already know that physical activity increases neurotransmitters and endorphins level,” he said. “So, we speculated that physical activity increased the expression of BDNF, leading to a decrease in somatic symptoms.”

Langaee said the study’s results were significant, but a larger sample size and more genetic testing is needed to better determine the effect of physical activity on these genes.

Dotson said the study provides evidence that physical activity could be explored as an intervention for depression, but warns that this study was not done in people whose symptoms were severe enough to be formally diagnosed with clinical depression. She said it’s also important to understand the benefits of exercise because of the impact medications may have on the brains of older adults.

“I’m trying to understand how exercise versus antidepressants affect the brain,” Dotson said. “The next step for me is to understand from a brain standpoint who is going to benefit and how exercise is going to be beneficial in addition to or as an alternative to medication.”

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Study suggests certain people with depression may benefit from exercise

FORT WALTON BEACH — The Florida Department of Health in Okaloosa County has announced water quality test results for local parks.

FORT WALTON BEACH — No Okaloosa County parks have potentially hazardous bathing water, the Florida Department of Health in Okaloosa County stated April 25.

Only one park, Gulf Islands National Seashore, Okaloosa Island, received a moderate (instead of good) rating. The test are based on EPA-recommended enterococci standards. Enteric bacteria's presence indicates fecal pollution from stormwater runoff, pets and wildlife or human sewage.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Okaloosa health department releases water quality results

WASHINGTON — Pilgrim’s Pride Corp., a Waco, Texas establishment, is recalling approximately 4,568,080 pounds of fully cooked chicken products that may be contaminated with extraneous materials, including plastic, wood, rubber, and metal, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service stated in a media release.

This is a Class I recall, described by the USDA as a "a health hazard situation where there is a reasonable probability that the use of the product will cause serious, adverse health consequences or death."

The scope of this recall expansion now includes a variety of chicken products associated with extraneous material contamination. The chicken products were produced on various dates between Aug. 21, 2014, to March 1, 2016.

The following products are subject to recall:

●30-pound boxes containing 5-pound clear bags of 6116 Gold Kist Farms Fully Cooked Whole Grain Breaded Chicken Nuggets Nugget Shaped Chicken Patties, with use by/sell by dates of Oct. 23, 2016 and March 1, 2017; and packaging dates of Oct. 23, 2015 and March 1, 2016.

●20-pound boxes containing 5-pound clear bags of 6145 Gold Kist Farms Menu Right Fully Cooked Whole Grain Breaded Chicken Nuggets Breaded Nugget Shaped Chicken Patties with use by/sell by dates of May 28, 2106 and April 27, 2016; and packaging dates of May 28, 2015 and April 27, 2015.

●30-pound boxes containing 5-pound clear bags of “6253 Gold Kist Farms Fully Cooked Whole Grain Homestyle Breaded Strip Shaped Chicken Patties” with use by/sell by dates of April 27, 2016 and August 6, 2016, and packaging dates of April 27, 2015 and August 6, 2015.

●30-pound boxes containing 5-pound clear bags of “6353 Gold Kist Farms Fully Cooked Whole Grain Homestyle Breaded Breakfast Chicken Patties” with use/by sell by dates of Sept. 17, 2016 and Sept. 21, 2016 and packaging dates Sept. 17, 2015 and Sept. 21, 2015.

●30-pound boxes containing 5-pound clear bags of “6654 Gold Kist Farms Fully Cooked Whole Grain Homestyle Breaded Chicken Patty” with use by/sell by dates of May 11, 2016, June 5, 2016, and Aug. 21, 2015, and packaging dates of May 11, 2015, June 5, 2015, and Aug. 21, 2014.

●30-pound boxes containing 5-pound clear bags of “66660 Gold Kist Farms Fully Cooked Whole Grain Hot & Spicy Breaded Chicken Patty” with use by/sell by date of July 18, 2016 and packaging date of July 18, 2015.

●20-pound boxes containing 5-pound clear bags of “69160 Gold Kist Farms Fully Cooked Whole Grain Popcorn Style Chicken Patty Fritters” with use/by sell by dates of Aug. 19, 2016 and Sept. 25, 2016, and packaging dates of Aug. 19, 2015 and Sept. 25, 2015.

●10-pound boxes containing 5-pound clear bags of “70340 Pierce Chicken Fully Cooked Breaded Chicken Tenderloins” with a use by/sell by dates of Sept. 28, 2016, Sept. 25, 2016, and Nov. 9, 2016, and packaging dates of Sept. 28, 2015, Sept. 25, 2015, and Nov. 9, 2015.

●30-pound boxes containing of 5-pound clear bags of “612100 Gold Kist Farms Fully Cooked Whole Grain Breaded Chicken Nuggets Nugget Shaped Chicken Patties” with use by/sell by dates of July 11, 2016, Nov. 9, 2016, and Nov. 25, 2016 and packaging dates of July 11, 2015, Nov. 9, 2015, and Nov. 25, 2015.

●30-pound boxes containing 5-pound clear bags of “615300 Gold Kist Farms Fully Cooked Whole Grain Home-style Breaded Chicken Nuggets Nugget Shaped Chicken Patties” with  use by/ sell by dates of Oct. 8, 2016, Oct. 9, 2016, Oct. 3, 2016, Oct. 20, 2016, Nov. 24, 2016, Oct. 1, 2016, Oct. 16, 2016, Oct. 14, 2016, and packaging dates of Oct. 8, 2015, Oct. 1, 2015, Oct. 16, 2015, Oct. 9, 2015, Oct. 3, 2015, Oct. 20, 2015, Nov. 24, 2015, and Oct. 14, 2015.

●30-pound boxes containing 5-pound clear bags of “625300 Gold Kist Farms Fully Cooked Whole Grain Home-style Breaded Chicken Strip Shaped Chicken Patties” with a use by/sell by date of Oct. 16, 2016, and a packaging date of Oct. 16, 2015.

●20-pound boxes containing 5-pound clear bags of “633100 Gold Kist Farms Fully Cooked Whole Grain Home-style Breaded Breakfast Chicken Breast Patties with Rib Meat” with a use by/sell by date of Oct. 3, 2016, and a packaging date of Oct. 3, 2015.

●30-pound boxes containing 5-pound clear bags of “662100 Gold Kist Farms Fully Cooked Whole Grain Breaded Chicken Patties” with  use by/sell by dates of Oct. 7, 2016 and Aug. 13, 2016, and packaging dates of Oct. 7, 2015 and Aug. 13, 2015.

●30-pound boxes containing 5-pound clear bags of “665400 Gold Kist Farms Fully Cooked Whole Grain Home-style Breaded Chicken Patties” with  use by/sell by dates of Oct. 6, 2016, July 24, 2016, July 1, 2016, July 25, 2016, Aug. 29, 2016, Sept. 12, 2016, Dec. 2, 2016, Dec. 21, 2016, and packaging dates of Oct. 6, 2015, July 24, 2015, July 1, 2015, July 25, 2015, Aug. 29, 2016, Sept. 12, 2016, Dec. 2, 2016, Dec. 21, 2016.

●30-pound boxes containing of 5-pound clear bags of “666600 Gold Kist Farms Fully Cooked Whole Grain Hot & Spicy Breaded Chicken Patties” with use by/sell by dates of Oct. 8, 2016, Sept. 29, 2015, Sept. 30, 2016, and packaging dates of Oct. 8, 2015, Sept. 29, 2015, Sept. 30, 2015.

●10-pound boxes containing 5-pound clear bags of “92105 Sweet Georgia Brand FULLY COOKED WHOLE GRAIN Breaded Chicken Breast Nuggets Breaded Nugget Shaped Chicken Patties With Rib Meat” with a use/by sell by date of May 28, 2016, and a packaging date of May 28, 2015.

●10-pound boxes containing 5-pound clear bags of “92430 Sweet Georgia Brand Fully Cooked Breaded Chicken Tenderloins” with use by/sell by dates of Sept. 28, 2016, Nov. 9, 2016, and packaging dates of Sept. 28, 2016, Nov. 9, 2016.

●10-pound boxes containing 5-pound clear bags of “93406 Sweet Georgia Brand Fully Cooked Whole Grain Popcorn Style Chicken Patty Fritters” with a use by/sell by date of May 28, 2016 and a packaging date of May 28, 2015.

●10-pound boxes containing 5-pound clear bags of “94208 Sweet Georgia Brand Fully Cooked Whole Grain Hot And Spicy Breaded Chicken Patty” with a use by date of July 18, 2016 and a packaging date of July 18, 2015.

●10-pound boxes containing 5-pound clear bags of “96965 Sweet Georgia Brand Fully Cooked Whole Grain Breaded Chicken Nuggets Nugget Shaped Chicken Patties” with a use by/sell by date of Oct. 14, 2016 and a packaging date of Oct. 14, 2015.

●10-pound boxes containing 5-pound clear bags of “96971 Sweet Georgia Brand Fully Cooked Whole Grain Breaded Chicken Breast Patties With Rib Meat” with a use by/sell by date of Oct. 8, 2016 and a packaging date of Oct. 8, 2015.

●10-pound boxes containing 5-pound clear bags of “96973 Sweet Georgia Brand Fully Cooked Whole Grain Breaded Chicken Patties” with use by/sell by dates of July 24, 2016, July 1, 2016, Dec. 2, 2016, Sept. 12, 2016, and packaging dates of July 24, 2015, July 1, 2015, Dec. 2, 2015, Sept. 12, 2015.

●10-pound boxes containing 5-pound clear bags of “96978 Sweet Georgia Brand Fully Cooked Whole Grain Hot And Spicy Breaded Chicken Patties” with use by/sell by dates of Oct. 8, 2016 and Sept. 30, 2016, and packaging dates of Oct. 8, 2015 and Sept. 30, 2016.

 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

  Additional information on production dates and case codes can be found here.

●On April 7, 2016, Pilgrim’s Pride Corp recalled approximately 40,780 pounds of fully cooked chicken nuggets produced on Oct. 5, 2015. The following product is subject to recall:

●20-lb. cardboard boxes containing two, 10-lb. clear plastic bags of fully cooked chicken nuggets labeled as “GOLD KIST FARMS Fully Cooked Whole Grain Popcorn Style Chicken Patty Fritters” with package codes 5278105021, 5278105022, 5278105023, 5278105000, and 5278105001.

 The products subject to recall bears establishment number “EST. 20728” inside the USDA mark of inspection. These items were shipped for institutional use nationwide. According to Pilgrim’s Pride Corp. records, schools have purchased products through the company’s commercial channels.

The problem was first discovered after the firm received several consumer complaints regarding plastic contamination of the chicken nuggets. The firm notified FSIS personnel of the issue on April 6, 2016. FSIS personnel identified more affected product types and dates of production after investigating additional consumer complaints of foreign material contamination received by the recalling firm.

There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products. Anyone concerned about an injury or illness should contact a healthcare provider. 

Consumers who have purchased the recalled products are urged not to consume them. These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.

FSIS routinely conducts recall effectiveness checks to verify recalling firms notify their customers of the recall and that steps are taken to make certain that the products are no longer available to consumers. When available, the retail distribution list(s) will be posted on the FSIS website at http://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Consumers with questions about the recall can contact James Brown, Consumer Relations Manager, at 800-321-1470. Media with questions about the recall can contact Cameron Bruett, Head of Corporate Affairs, at 970-506-7801.

 Consumers with food safety questions can "Ask Karen," the FSIS virtual representative available 24 hours a day at AskKaren.gov or via smartphone at m.askkaren.gov. The toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline 1-888-MPHotline (1-888-674-6854) is available in English and Spanish and can be reached from l0 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Eastern Time) Monday through Friday. Recorded food safety messages are available 24 hours a day. The online Electronic Consumer Complaint Monitoring System can be accessed 24 hours a day at: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/reportproblem.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: April 7 Pilgrim's Pride poultry recall expands

FORT WALTON BEACH — Mosquitoes can carry harmful viruses that cause serious illness in people. DOH-Okaloosa has an established partnership with the Okaloosa County Mosquito Control and works collaboratively to help protect and promote the health of residents and visitors.

There are routine steps all people should take to reduce the possibly risk of mosquito bites.

Dr. Karen A. Chapman, Director of DOH-Okaloosa. “The easiest way to remember how you can help eliminate mosquito bites is to "drain and cover.”

Drain

Draining standing water stops mosquitoes from multiplying.

●Drain water from garbage cans, house gutters, buckets, pool covers, coolers, toys, flowerpots or any other containers where sprinkler or rain water has collected.

●Discard old tires, drums, bottles, cans, pots and pans, broken appliances and other items that are not being used.

●Empty and clean birdbaths and pets' water bowls at least once or twice a week.

●Protect boats and vehicles from rain with tarps that do not accumulate water.

●Maintain swimming pools in good condition with appropriate chlorination. Empty plastic swimming pools when not in use.

Cover

Covering is another step you can take. Cover your skin with clothing or repellent.

●Wear shoes, socks, long pants and long sleeves. This type of protection may be necessary for people who must work in areas where mosquitoes are present.

●Apply mosquito repellent to bare skin and clothing.

●Always use repellents according to the label. Repellents with DEET (N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide), picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus and IR3535 are effective.

●Do not apply repellent to children younger than two months old. Use mosquito netting instead.

COVER doors and windows with screens to keep mosquitoes out of your house.

●Keep mosquitoes out of your house. Repair broken screening on windows, doors, porches, and patios.

“Mosquitoes only need about a bottle cap or a magnolia leaf full of water to reproduce and can bite at all times of the day,” continued Dr. Chapman. “Whether you are around the house or traveling, staying consistent on protecting yourself and family with these simple steps is important.”

For more information on mosquito-borne and other insect-borne diseases, visit www.floridahealth.gov/diseases-and-conditions/mosquito-borne-diseases.

For the more information about local mosquito control efforts or to access the mosquito spraying schedule for Okaloosa County, visit www.co.okaloosa.fl.us/pw/environmental/mosquito-control.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Here's how to protect yourself and loved ones from mosquitoes

CRESTVIEW — The Okaloosa County Mosquito Control Program is spot spraying this month. In a few weeks, the standard evening broadcast spray schedule will begin, weather permitting.

North Okaloosa routes are as follows:

Mondays

●Baker: John Riley Barnhill Road to Escambia Farms; Vinson Ray Road; Beaver Creek to north Baker

●Crestview and Holt: Rattlesnake Bluff and Little Silver Road, from Aplin Road south to Live Oak Church Road; US Highway 90 east from Shoal River to County Line Road and north to Poverty Creek Road

Tuesdays

●Laurel Hill: East side of US Highway 189 to US Highway 602; Four Flags area

●Baker and Holt: South of US 90

●Crestview: Aplin Road north to US 90; Old Bethel Road past Sioux Circle, Old Antioch Road to US 90 west of US Highway 85

Wednesdays

●Holt: north of US 90

●Baker: west of Galliver Cutoff

●Laurel Hill to County Line, US Highway 393 N, Steel Mill Road

●Crestview: Old Bethel Road to Airport Road, US 90 from Fairchild Road to US 85, north to Airport Road

Thursdays

●Crestview: Poverty Creek Road, US 393 to Campton

●Baker: from Galliver Cutoff to Old River Road

●Crestview: Lake Silver Road to Airport Road to Auburn area

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Okaloosa releases mosquito spray schedule